August-September 2017 Issue

Letter From The Publisher

Summer is in full swing in the Heartland of Florida and if you didn’t know it, just step outside. Wow is it HOT!

If you’re a native of Florida then you’re used to the heat but I think our summers are getting hotter and hotter. I hope you have found ways to get out of your homes and enjoy the outdoors on your patios, pools, taking kids to the playgrounds, summer gardens or maybe visit some of our farmers markets if you didn’t plant a garden this year.

As for myself I’ve taken a couple mini vaca’s to our Florida beaches with my girlfriends, one being my BFF for the last 36 years, Nancy Redding. There’s nothing like best friends getting together and enjoying friendship, activities, food and a nice glass of wine to end a beautiful day. I’ve had my bucket list of things I want to do in life and have checked a few off with my friend, Diana Albritton, the last couple years water rafting and zip lining in the mountains. Loved it! I did have to do a little convincing to Nancy but this summer I checked off another one during our St. Petersburg trip, where we went parasailing. It was really cool being up so high, calm and quiet even for a few minutes. Hope you are enjoying your summer and checking adventures off your bucket list as well.

If you’re like us we are still finishing the summer with activities’ that we can find right here in our own backyard of the Heartland. In this issue we share a couple of adventures close to home where you could take the family and/or friends to finish out your summer. One being the World’s Largest Exhibition “Art of the Brick” in downtown Tampa presented by the Vinik Family Foundation and is free to all. The sculptures are life-sized and made entirely out of LEGO bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya.

Another adventure that is a popular event is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that is celebrating their 22nd year. You can explore the culinary world, traveling from country to country without the need of passports or airline miles. As one of America’s top food festivals, it is one not to miss this year.

We’re honored to present feature stories from the Heartland of a Winter Haven couple Nando & Sally Castillo that share their lovebird story and unique fashion ideas that turned into a huge growing business.

Also there is a story about Roy & Wendy Petteway, “Between the Beaches”. This is a story of a Florida ranching family that helps show culinary professionals where our Angus beef comes from. Relationships remain the core of what makes the beef world go round and it’s importance for consumers to understand the modern beef production.

I would like to say a Special Thank You to my creative designer Bridgette Waldau who has designed Heartland LIVING for you from the beginning. Her amazing talent has won the magazine awards again this year from the Florida Magazine Association. Congratulations and I can’t wait to celebrate with you at the Ritz Carlton in Naples when you receive your awards on design.